GUWAHATI: As the city gears up for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, residents of Boragaon are questioning the Guwahati Municipal Corporation’s (GMC) decision to remove animals from the area. They claim the move has caused unnecessary distress to both people and animals.
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Talking to GPlus, a resident of Boragaon said, "How can they take away animals just because the PM is visiting? They are already harassing people with all the restrictions, and now they have taken three cows too. It’s unfair."
Another resident in the area talking to GPlus said, "These animals have been here for years and have never caused any trouble. Now, just because of a VIP visit, they are being taken away like this. It feels unfair and unnecessary."
The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), however, has issued an official order directing the lessees of animal pounds in the city to carry out their duties as per existing guidelines. According to the order, the removal of stray animals is being done in connection with two upcoming events—Advantage Assam 2.0 and Jhumoir Binandini.
The order, issued by the Veterinary Branch of GMC, instructs lessees to maintain proper records of the animals taken to pounds, including photographic documentation, and to ensure transparency by displaying banners on vehicles during operations. Additionally, they are required to submit detailed reports along with CCTV footage for monitoring purposes.
While GMC maintains that the process is a routine part of maintaining order during high-profile visits, residents argue that such actions create inconvenience and raise ethical concerns. Many have expressed their frustration over the authorities prioritizing a clean image for VIP visits over the well-being of local communities.